System for generating a humanly perceptible signal as a reminder for administration of a medical treatment

ABSTRACT

A system for generating a humanly perceptible signal at one or more predetermined points in time, at which one or more medications must be taken or a time-dependent medical procedure must be implemented, includes a control unit at which the time or times are stored, and which includes a time measuring unit which provides a signal upon the occurrence of the time or times, and at least one signaling device disposed remote from said control unit, which receives a signal via a communication system from the control unit and which emits a visually perceptible reminder upon receipt of the signal. The control unit and the signal device are disposed in a building which is occupied, or can be occupied at times, by a patient, and the communication system is integrated as a part of the building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a system for the need-dependentgeneration of a signal perceptible by a person at one or morepredetermined points in time at which one or more medications must betaken or a time-related medical measure is to be implemented.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Persons who must take medications regularly often have the problem offorgetting to take the medication altogether or, of overlooking theadministration time prescribed by the physician. This problemparticularly occurs in with older persons or patients who must take manymedications at different times. Signal devices, for example in the formof small portable devices, are known in the prior art, for exampleGerman OS 44 13 646, which include time-measuring means and generate analarm signal in the fashion of a timer at the respectively requiredpoints in time at a body-worn device or a carried device. These devices,however, can only remind the user of the administration of medicationwhen they are located in the immediate environment of the user at thepoint in time of the signaling. Many persons, however, do not alwayscarry or wear these devices, particularly in the domestic environment;on the contrary, these devices are often placed down at locations thatare so far from the location of the patient that the signal does notreach the patient. Such systems are also disclosed by PCT Application WO97/24702 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,831.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a system of the typeinitially described that makes it possible to provide the patient withthe corresponding signal indicating the administration of medication atdifferent locations, essentially within a building, for example a houseor an apartment.

This object is achieved in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention in a system for generating a humanly perceptible signal as areminder for administration of a medical treatment, having a controlunit, disposed at a first location within a building, and in whichadministration times for a medical treatment are stored, and having atime measuring unit, and at least one signaling unit, located remotefrom the control unit at a second location at the building, and whichcommunicates with the control unit via a communication connection of acommunication system contained within the building, and which, uponreceiving a signal from the control unit via the communication system,emits a humanly perceptible signal to remind a person within thebuilding that it is time for a medical treatment to be administered.

As used herein, a “medical treatment” means undertaking one or moremedical or health-related activities, and is not merely limited toingesting pills or the like. Moreover, as used herein the term “at thebuilding” includes locations outside of a building, in close vicinity tothe building.

With this inventive system having the advantageous separation of thecontrol unit that controls the timing of the administration ofmedications and, correspondingly, the signaling and the external signaldevice, the possibility is especially advantageously established ofproviding the patient with the corresponding signal at an arbitrarylocation, namely anywhere that an external signal device is provided. Anumber of external signal devices can be provided for this purpose, atvarious locations at a building. In a dwelling, for example, a signaldevice can be provided in each room, so that the patient can be reachedeverywhere. It has proven especially advantageous when, inventively, thecommunication connection is realized mainly by lines laid and/or to belaid at the building side or radio-supported. An EIB bus (Europeaninstallation bus) can be employed as communication system of thebuilding side. Such a communication system, which is usually alreadypresent in the building and serves the purpose of signal management forcontrolling various actuators such as, for example, illuminating meansand the like, usually runs through all parts of the building and mayalso partly pass through the outer region, so that the signal devicescan be especially advantageously coupled everywhere. In view of thesystem costs, as well, the use of the communication system that alreadyexists proves advantageous, particularly in the form of the EIB bus,since no additional communication lines need be laid. As an alternativeto the employment of hardwired communication possibilities, a wirelesscommunication connection can be additionally provided in accordance withthe invention, so that the aforementioned communication system is notlimited to the immediate area of the building but also allows thearrangement and inclusion of signal devices located outside.

Optical, acoustic and/or mechanical signal devices can be inventivelyprovided as the aforementioned signaling devices. A bell provided in thebuilding or one or more lighting means provided at the building canthereby be expediently employed as acoustic and optical signal devices.These devices are usually already integrated in the house communicationsystem, for example the EIB bus system, so that they can be particularlyadvantageously addressed accordingly with the control unit. Elementsthat are already present in the building are thus employed as signaldevices as well, this likewise having a beneficial influence,particularly in terms of the system costs. The bell, for example, canthereby be correspondingly driven at the given point in time, so that itrings once or repeatedly or, on the other hand, in a specific sequence;the lighting means can, for example, flash briefly or the like.Additionally or alternatively, a radio receiver and/or one or moredisplay devices reproducing the signal in the form of a visual display,particularly in the form of a television set, can also be employed. Inthis case, for example, a corresponding signal or a correspondingmessage is transmitted from the control unit to the radioreceiver—preferably when the television set is operating already. Givenemployment of a display, particularly in the form of a television setthat is usually present in a dwelling, the signal can be correspondinglymixed in the television picture, whereby, of course, the control unit iscorrespondingly fashioned for this purpose in order to supply the dataand corresponding data formats required for this purpose.

A device that generates mechanical, acoustic or optical signals andcommunicates with the control and/or processing unit via the wirelesscommunication connection and that is to be worn by the affected personcan be inventively employed as additional (redundant) mechanical,acoustic and/or optical signal device. Such devices, for example in theform of silent alarm devices that are to be worn at the wrist or thelike and generate vibrations are known. Given use of such a device, thepatient is informed of the time for taking the medication on the basisof corresponding vibrations that can be felt, so that he can actcorrespondingly when the signal is given. Of course, this portablesignal device can also be fashioned as an acoustic alarm. An opticalalarm, for example a small display means, can also be employed, forexample a SCALL device (pager). Of course, a device in the form of aportable telephone can also be utilized. Given employment of a pluralityof signal devices, the signal can thereby be inventively generated atone or more, potentially all signal devices, whereby the use of thesignal devices that have been mentioned is expediently based on theiroperating readiness, i.e., given employment of a radio receiver or of atelevision set, this is only addressed when the respective device isalso correspondingly operating.

In order to prevent the signal from being given when the respectivepoint in time stored in the control unit is reached despite themedication already having been taken, in an embodiment of the inventionthat the control unit causes the time or times for the correctadministration of the medications to be displayed to the user, with atriggering of the signal ensuing dependent on the display. This allowsthe user to inform the control unit that the administration of themedication has already ensued, so that the signal triggering can besuppressed. For this purpose, an actuatable element can be placed incommunication with the control unit via the communication system,particularly via the building lines and preferably the EIB bus. Switchelements such as, for example, a light switch existing in the buildingor an operating element of the display, particularly in the form of aremote control and the like can be employed as an actuation element. Ofcourse, it is also possible to also provide separate input means forenabling an indication that the administration of the medical treatmenthas already ensued, for example in the form of a keyboard or the likethat is directly arranged at the control unit, which, for example, canbe a PC. Any suitable actuation element can be used for this purpose,the same being true for the various signal devices.

In order to relieve the patients, particularly older persons, ofgathering or dosing the medications, it has proven especiallyadvantageous when the system includes a medication dispenser that has acommunicative connection with the control unit, and that makes themedications to be respectively taken available at the required point intime or just before this time. When the medication is taken in time,then this administration can be employed for forwarding the indicatorsignal from the medication dispenser to the control unit, i.e. theremoval of the medications from the dispenser at the correct timeautomatically causes the control unit to be provided with thecorresponding acknowledgment signal.

It has proven especially advantageous when one or more signaling timesfor a plurality of different medications can be stored or are stored inthe control unit, whereby a specific signal can be generated for eachmedication, possibly using a specific signal device. According to thisembodiment of the invention, a complete monitoring system is achievedthat also enables a monitoring of the taking of a number of medications,so that the patient is instructed to take each and every individualmedication regardless of the number of medications.

Particularly when the appertaining person is not present at therespective signaling time, it is proven advantageous when the controlunit is fashioned such that the signal can be emitted at least a secondtime at a later point in time, this, of course, only ensuing when anacknowledgment signal was not previously provided. In order to have thecertainty that the person is present at the time of the signaling or thesignal repetition, it is proven especially advantageous when the systemincludes at least one acquisition system for determining the presence ofa person within the building, this acquisition system communicating withthe control unit. The control unit emits the repeated signal isgenerated dependent on the determination made by the acquisition system,i.e., the signal is only generated when the presence of the person hasbeen found, so that there is then a certainty that the person will infact perceive the signal. The acquisition system can be inventivelyfashioned such that it determines the actuation or movement of a door orthe movement of a person, i.e. in the form of a movement sensor or thelike. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor can also be anactuatable light switch that the person, for example, must actuateanyway when entering the house. Alternatively, the television set canalso be employed as the acquisition system, whereby the determinationthat the person is present in the dwelling is established dependent onthe operation of the television set. A radio device can be used for thesame purpose.

Particularly when the administration of the medications was forgottenbecause the person was not present and the signal could not remind thepatient to do this, situations can definitely occur given tardyadministration that require non-routine measures, i.e., for example,consultation with a physician or a dosing adapted in conformity with thetardiness or the like. In order to be able to inform the patient ofpotential non-routine measures or problems, it is proven especiallyadvantageous when the system inventively comprises at least one displaydevice, such as in the form of the television set serving the purpose ofthe signal device, at which information from the control device can beemitted when the reminder signal is generated, possibly at a point intime later than the reminder signal generation. On the basis of thisinformation, the patient can then determine how he must behave in orderto counter possible consequences of the missing or delayedadministration of the medication. It is expedient when, inventively, theinformation to be emitted can be generated dependent onmedication-specific and/or patient-specific information stored at thecontrol unit and/or dependent on the time that has passed since theoriginal point in time for the administration of the medical treatment.The information provided to the patient is thus adapted to the actualcircumstances, pertaining to the medications the patient is to take, aswell as the personal constitution of the patient, since the patient'smedical data such as, for example, weight, blood pressure, etc., canenter into the determination as to whether non-routine instructions areneeded. The time that has elapsed since the last possible “proper”administration time may also be relevant, since this evaluationcriterion can also be relevant for the actions to be prescribed from amedical point of view. The patient is thus provided with informationadapted to the actual situation. The information stored in the controlunit as information capable of being emitted can inventively bemedication-specific information, particularly about the dosing and inthe form of the administration of the medication. Alternatively oradditionally, the control unit can also be fashioned for automaticallysetting up a communication connection, particularly a telecommunicationconnection to an external location for providing assistance in case asignal is generated and the presence of a person has been found,whereby, of course, a corresponding communication connection of thecontrol unit to a corresponding communication network leading to theoutside can also be provided. In a further embodiment of the invention,the control unit is fashioned such that external access to theinformation stored therein is possible. Such “external access” meansboth reading as well as writing access. It is thus possible to accessthe control unit which is present at the patient's dwelling from anexternal location, for example from a data administration center toreview the information stored therein in view of being correct and up todate as well as to record new information, if necessary, for example,when the patient must take one or more new medications or, for example,a blood pressure measurement or the like is to be undertaken at otherpoints in time.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of a systemfor generating a humanly perceptible signal as a reminder for a medicaltreatment, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a second embodiment of theinventive system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows an inventive system, whose central element is the controlunit 1, here in the form of a PC. The control unit 1 is connected to anumber of function and signal devices via a first communicationconnection 2 in the form of a communication line 3 laid in the building,preferably an EIB bus. The respective direction of the signalcommunication is shown with corresponding arrows. First, a bell 4 isconnected to the bus-like communication line 3, this bell 4 beingcapable of producing a signal that indicates the time a specificmedication is to be taken. The control of the operation of the bell 4ensues via the control unit 1 that including a correspondingtime-measuring device in which the respective signaling times areimplemented. At the corresponding point in time, the control unit 1forwards a command to the bell 4, so that this is correspondinglyactuated and indicates to the patient that the medication is to betaken. An illumination element 5 is also connected to the communicationline 3, this likewise serving as signal device, whereby, of course, andas indicated by the outgoing strokes 5 a, a number of illuminationdevices can be provided, for example in every room of the building. Thisillumination element also serves the purpose of signaling; for example,it can be activated in correspondingly flashing fashion, also under thecontrol of the control unit 1 here. A light switch 6 (or a number oflight switches 6 a) are also coupled to the bus communication line 3.These light switches 6 and 6 a serve as actuation devices with which adetermination can be made as to whether the person to whom a signal isto be given is present in the building at all, for example the house orthe dwelling. The respective light switches 6, 6 a communicate via thecommunication line 3 with the control unit 1 that, given actuation of alight switch 6 or 6 a, is provided with a corresponding signalindicating the presence of the patient. In addition to the light switchor switches 6 and 6 a, a further presence acquisition switch 7 (or anumber of such switches 7 a) specifically provided for acquiring thepresence can be provided, the purpose thereof being the same to this butthe switches 7 and 7 a being dedicated only to this function. Anacquisition sensor 8 that is arranged in the area of the house ordwelling door can be provided, which, for example, is actuated andsupplies a corresponding signal indicating the presence of the person tothis control unit 1 when the door knob is moved or, on the other hand,when the door is swung open. In addition, a motion sensor 9 (or aplurality of motion sensors 9 a) can be provided, this determining themotion of either, for example, the house door or of the person enteringthe dwelling. Finally, an acknowledgment switch 10 (or a number ofacknowledgment switches 10 a) are connected to the control unit 1 incommunicating fashion via the communication line 3. With this switch orswitches 10, 10 a, it is possible for the patient to indicate to thecontrol unit 1 that the medication was taken in timely fashion [to thecontrol means 1], so that the control unit 1 suppresses the remindersignal when the next signaling time is reached, since the signal is notrequired in this case. Additionally or alternatively to theseacknowledgment switches 10, 10 a, the administration acknowledgment canalso be provided with an input unit 11 in the form of the illustratedkeyboard that is connected to the control unit 1 via a communicationconnection 12.

Additionally (of course, alternatively as well) to the signal devices 4,5, the control unit 1 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment isconnected to a television set 14 via a communication line 13. As needed,the corresponding signal can be shown to the patient with the controlunit 1—of course, only when the television is on—, for example theprogram that is being shown can be interrupted or, a correspondingmessage is mixed in the television image that draws attention of thepatient to the administration of the medication. At the same time, thetelevision set 14 can serve for acquiring the presence of the patient,namely when it is on, i.e. the control unit 1 is provided with acorresponding signal, as shown with the respective arrows. In addition,the corresponding acknowledgment signal can also be provided by thetelevision set 14 or the remote control 15 allocated to it, thisindicating that the medication has already been taken.

A function similar to the television set 14 is accorded to a radioreceiver 17 connected to the control unit 1 via a further communicationline 16, the corresponding signal being likewise capable of beingprovided therewith, for example in the form of a humming or the like andthe operation thereof likewise signaling the presence of the person.

In addition, the system of the invention includes a mechanical signalingdevice 18 in the form of a vibrating alarm to be worn, for example, atthe wrist of the patient, this communicating with the control unit 1 viaa wireless communication connection 19. As a reminder indicator, thesignal device 18 is caused to vibrate, the patient sensing this and thusbeing informed that the patient should take the medication ormedications. Finally, the system also includes a medication dispenser 20that is connected to the control unit 1 via a communication line 21 andwith which the acknowledgment signal can likewise be forwarded to thecontrol unit 1, namely when the patient takes the medications offeredthe patient some time preceding the respective time of administration.Finally, the control unit 1 is also connected to an externaltelecommunication network 23 via the communication line 22, whereby thecontrol unit 1 is fashioned such that, as needed, a communicationconnection to an external location offering assistance or the like canbe automatically set up via the communication line 22. Thus, forexample, a connection could be set up (automatically) to a centralconsultation location (medical advisor) who could then provideinstructions on what to do. The control unit 1 is fashioned in theframework of the inventive system such that the respective signal can beforwarded to one or more, potentially all of the possible signaldevices. In addition, the control unit 1 can repeat the signal ifnecessary, for example when one of the devices sensing the presence ofthe respective person provides the corresponding acquisition signal.

FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the inventive system. In thissystem, which corresponds with the system illustrated in FIG. 1 in termsof its function components, the television set 14 and the radio receiver17 as well as the medication dispenser 20 are connected to thecommunication line 3 in addition to the previous system componentsprovided at the bus side, i.e. no separate communication lines need beprovided for these.

Although modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled inthe art, it is the intention of the inventors to embody within thepatent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably andproperly come within the scope of their contribution to the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for generating a humanly perceptiblesignal as a reminder for administering a medical treatment, comprising:a control unit in which at least one time is stored at which a patientis to administer a medical treatment, said control unit including atime-measuring unit which determines when said stored time occurs, saidcontrol unit being disposed at a first location within a building; acommunication system integrated in said building and having acommunication connection to said control unit; and at least one signaldevice stationarily mounted at said building at a second location remotefrom said first location and having a communication connection to saidcommunication system, said at least one signal device receiving a signalfrom said control unit at said stored time and emitting a humanlyperceptible signal at said building as a reminder to administermedication.
 2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said communicationsystem comprises hardwired lines running through said building.
 3. Asystem as claimed in claim 1 wherein said communication system comprisesa radio communication system.
 4. A system as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid communication system comprises an EIB bus.
 5. A system as claimedin claim 1 comprising a plurality of signal devices, and wherein saidcommunication system comprises hardwired lines connected between saidcontrol unit and a portion of said plurality of signal devices, and awireless communication connection between said control unit and at leastone signal device in said plurality of signal devices.
 6. A system asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one signal device is a signaldevice selected from the group consisting of optical signal devices,acoustic signal devices and mechanical signal devices.
 7. A system asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said signal device is selected from the groupconsisting of a bell integrated in said building, an illuminationelement integrated in said building, a radio receiver, and a visualdisplay device.
 8. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at leastone signal device comprises a television set.
 9. A system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said signaling device comprises a body worn device, andwherein said communication system comprises a wireless communicationsystem, said bodyworn device including an indicatorwhich generates saidreminder signal in a form selected from the group consisting ofmechanical signals, acoustic signals and optical signals.
 10. A systemas claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one patient-actuatedunit having a communication connection via said communication system tosaid control unit which, when actuated by a patient, emits a signal tosaid control unit which suppresses generation of said reminder signal.11. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said communication systemcomprises an EIB bus.
 12. A system as claimed in claim 11 wherein saidpatient actuated element comprises a light switch integrated in saidbuilding.
 13. A system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said at least onesignal device comprises a visual display unit having a remote controlassociated therewith, and wherein said remote control comprises saidpatient actuated unit.
 14. A system as claimed in claim 11 furthercomprising a medication dispenser having a communication connection tosaid communication system which dispenses medication at a timesubstantially coinciding with said stored time upon receipt of a signalfrom said control unit, and wherein said medication dispenser comprisessaid patient actuated unit and supplies a signal to said control unitsuppressing said reminder signal when said medication is removed fromsaid medication dispenser.
 15. A system as claimed in claim 1 comprisinga plurality of signal devices respectively stationarily mounted at saidbuilding at respectively different second locations remote from saidfirst location, each of said signal devices, upon receiving a signalfrom said control unit, emitting said humanly perceptible signal.
 16. Asystem as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control unit has a memory inwhich a plurality of different times for respectively administering aplurality of medical treatments are stored, and wherein said controlunit causes said at least one signal device to emit said humanlyperceptible signal in respective forms uniquely associated with saidtimes.
 17. A system as claimed in claim 16 comprising a plurality ofsignal devices of respectively different types, said plurality of signaldevices being respectively specifically designed to emit humanlyperceptible signals in said respectively different forms.
 18. A systemas claimed in claim 1 wherein said control unit causes said signal fromsaid control unit to be received at said at least one signal device atleast two times, separated by a time interval.
 19. A system as claimedin claim 18 further comprising an acquisition arrangement foridentifying a presence of a person within said building and forsupplying a signal indicating said presence to said control unit, andwherein said control unit, after first supplying said signal to saidsignal device, supply said signal to second device a second time uponreceiving said signal from said acquisition arrangement.
 20. A system asclaimed in claim 19 wherein said acquisition arrangement comprises anarrangement selected from the group consisting of an arrangement foridentifying movement of a door in said building, an arrangement foridentifying movement of a person in said building, an arrangement foridentifying actuation of a light switch in said building, an arrangementfor identifying actuation of an actuatable switch in said building, anarrangement for identifying when a radio receiver in said building isoperated, and an arrangement for identifying when a television set insaid building is operated.
 21. A system as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid signal device comprises a display at which said humanly perceptiblesignal is at least visually displayed.
 22. A system as claimed in claim21 wherein said display comprises a television set.
 23. A system asclaimed in claim 21 wherein said display, dependent on said signal fromsaid control unit, displays information selected from the groupconsisting of medication-specific information, patient-specificinformation, and an elapsed time relevant to administration of saidmedical treatment.
 24. A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein saidcontrol unit contains a memory in which at least saidmedication-specific information is stored.
 25. A system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said system further comprises an acquisition arrangementfor identifying a presence of a person in said building, and whereinsaid control unit comprises actuatable means for communicating with alocation external from said building, upon actuation of said controlunit, and if said acquisition arrangement has identified a presence of aperson in said building.
 26. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidcontrol unit comprises an interface allowing external access to at leastsaid time stored in said control unit.